The family of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has alleged that it had an agreement with President Bola Tinubu for his release before the 2023 presidential election.
Kanu’s brother, Kanunta Kanu, disclosed that the pact was reached during a meeting with Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, which reportedly had the blessing of the president.
In a statement on Thursday, Kanunta claimed that the agreement centered on IPOB’s commitment not to boycott the 2023 elections, in exchange for the release of Nnamdi Kanu if Tinubu won the presidency.

The statement reads:
“Before the last election, I received a message from an ex-governor that Seyi, the son of President Tinubu, wanted to see me.
“I agreed to meet with him on the condition that the overriding priority and hence the fulcrum of our discussion would be the release of my brother.
“The meeting was held in Abuja in the presence of another individual whom I asked along to witness the deliberations and provide independent verification should the need arise.
“Seyi confirmed to me that his father sanctioned the meeting and that I should consider any agreement we reach as binding on the then candidate, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“In good faith, we agreed that I shall relay the outcome to my brother to reinforce the long-held tradition of IPOB not interfering with the conduct of elections, either through boycott or any other form of civil disobedience.
“This understanding was duly communicated to my brother, and he reaffirmed his commitment not to stop the elections or order any boycott.
“When President Tinubu, as a candidate, visited Owerri during his campaign, he too reiterated his commitment to facilitate the release of my brother if elected.
“We took his public statement as a tacit reaffirmation of the understanding I reached with his son, Seyi.
“It, therefore, defies logic that nearly two years after President Tinubu assumed the mantle of leadership in Nigeria, my brother is still in detention despite not having any charge against him.
“It’s been over three months now that Justice Binta Nyako recused herself from the case, yet no new judge has been assigned to the case.”
The family expressed disappointment in what they perceive as a breach of the agreement and urged the president to fulfill the promise.
Nnamdi Kanu has been in detention since June 2021, facing allegations of treasonable felony and other charges, although several court rulings have ordered his release.
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